Page 44 of The Reign of Blood

“Give me a few days,” he breathes, and I nod. “What are you going to do now?” he asks, keeping me focused on the situation.

“What is the media saying?” I ask, and he shrugs while Nora answers.

“A bit of everything. There’s almost a slight buzz of excitement around you, but others are…”

“Others are what?” I nudge when she doesn’t finish her sentence. She looks to my father for guidance, who turns a soft smile my way.

“They’re not so impressed.”

“That’s okay. We knew they wouldn’t be.”

“Yeah.” Concern vibrates from Nora, like she’s not convinced things are as okay as I’m saying. Maybe they’re not, but admitting it to myself will only make it more real, and I’m more about manifesting strength than weakness.

She twists her hands in her lap as her eyebrows pinch together.

“What aren’t you telling me?” I ask, my adrenaline kicking up a notch as I search their gazes.

“They’re on the hunt now,” she admits, not making any sense.

“What for?” I push, and she rolls her eyes but refuses to meet my gaze.

“More like who for.”

“Who?”

Her eyes latch on to mine, and I know with absolute certainty that I’m not going to like what comes out of her mouth next.

“They’re on the hunt for Dad and me.”

19

KRYLL

“What the fuck is going on with you?” Cassian grunts, staring at an almost frantic Raiden as he paces back and forth in front of his coffee table. I agree with the question, maybe not as harshly worded, but something definitely isn’t right.

He’s completely unkept, his hair sticking up in every direction as if he’s raked his fingers through it a thousand times, and his creased pajama bottoms hang at his waist. He’s usually the most kept, ironed, and put-together guy you’ve ever met, but the person standing before me is far from any of those things.

Are those bags under his eyes?

“I messaged you all to get here because I need your help, not your grunts and snarls,” he retorts, planting his hands on his hips as he glares at the three of us.

Yeah, I’m at a complete loss with him now.

“Where were you yesterday?” Brody asks, slumping on the sofa to my right.

“On protective duty,” Raiden retorts, making me frown.

“What does that mean?” I ask, earning the deathly glare again as his lips purse and his jaw ticks.

“Were none of you there when Bozzelli called Adrianna in the dining hall?” Distaste dances across his features as my frown continues to deepen.

“Where did you go after that?” Brody asks, recalling the fact that the vampire before us disappeared and never came back.

“To check on her.”

“Why?” Cassian grunts, folding his arms over his chest.

“Have you met Bozzelli?” Raiden retorts, like that should explain it.

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